Building Through the Draft: Chicago Bears Rookies Making Huge Impact

Before we get into the rookies individually, let’s first give credit to the coaching staff for how they handled playing the rookie class. As mentioned previously, drafting talented players is one thing, but you need to develop them as well. We have seen countless times across the NFL where rookies are thrown into the deep end and sink as the transition from college to the professional level can be overwhelming.

Outside of first-round pick TE Colston Loveland, Chicago’s coaching staff eased their rookies into the NFL by limiting snap counts and giving them a taste of the pro level before fully unleashing them.

Colston Loveland

When Loveland was selected tenth overall by the Bears, some questioned if he was even the best TE in the draft. But, if you watched Loveland at the University of Michigan the last few years and with the Bears this season, it’s easy to see that the 21-year-old is a star in the making.

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What can’t he do? He has been pivotal to Chicago’s rushing success this season as a blocker, where Head Coach Ben Johnson has said Loveland is like an extra lineman out there due to how effective his blocking has been. From a receiving standpoint, Loveland is a mismatch nightmare for opposing defenses as he is effectively a wide receiver in a tight end’s body.

Luther Burden III

Luther Burden III is an electric wide receiver who had a first-round grade by many. Thankfully, he fell to the Bears in the second-round of the draft. After missing time in the offseason due to injury, Burden III was brought along slowly to learn Coach Johnson’s complex offense and assimilate to the NFL.

Prior to Week 10, Burden III played sparingly, getting a taste of the pro level on special teams and a select amount of offensive snaps before his snap count increased due to injuries and performance. That decision by the coaching staff has paid off for Chicago. Burden III finished Sunday’s game in San Francisco with 138 receiving yards, the most by a Bears rookie in a game since 1981, along with a touchdown on eight receptions.

Kyle Monangai

It’s important for a team to hit on their high draft picks, but so is finding late-round gems. That is exactly what Chicago got in seventh-round rookie RB Kyle Monangai. Monangai is a physical runner, often punishing defenders who attempt to tackle him. The rookie has been a great addition to the running back room, contributing 769 rushing yards on 4.7 yards per carry. He has been a great compliment to RB D’Andre Swift in terms of play styles. Monangai also follows the common theme of his fellow rookies, where his snap count and usage has increased as the season has progressed and he has made the most of his opportunities as well.

Ozzy Trapilo

The story of tackle Ozzy Trapilo has been incredible. After spending his last couple seasons as a right tackle at Boston College, the Bears used a second-round pick on Trapilo with the hopes of making him their starting left tackle. While that hope did not pan out in training camp and the beginning of the season, that did not stop his development at left tackle as the season progressed.

From Weeks 8 through 11, Chicago used Trapilo as a jumbo (extra) lineman for 7-10 snaps each game during that span, until the Bears felt Trapilo was ready to start Week 12 at LT. Trapilo has had his fair share of rookie mistakes, as expected, and has gotten help in the form of chips and play calling. However, he has more than held his own since taking over as the starter.

According to PFF, Trapilo has allowed only two sacks and fifteen pressures on 283 pass block snaps so far this season. This has been against some of the best pash rushers in the league, including sack-leader Myles Garrett of the Cleveland Browns. The jury is still out on if Trapilo is Chicago’s LT of the future, but it is clear that he has earned the trust of the Bears’ coaching staff this year.

The Class is Strong

It’s no secret that the rookies have been a crucial part in Chicago’s road to a division title this season. We highlighted four offensive rookies who have each made an enormous impact and contribution to the offensive success of the Bears this season. There are others from the class that have potential, and we’ll have to see what the future holds in store for them. Chicago’s coaching staff has done a phenomenal job developing, and in turn, these rookies have earned the trust of the coaching staff as the Bears are about to embark on their playoff journey. It’s still extremely early in these players’ careers, but it’s hard not to be excited about these rookies and what’s to come for them in the future.